Football 2 years ago

Socceroo Tom Rogic in the form of his life

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 17: Tom Rogic of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-off First leg match between Celtic and Hapoel Beer-Sheva at Celtic Park on August 17, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Socceroo Tom Rogic is in the form of his life for club and country and says he is soaking up every moment under Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou.

Having finally kicked aside his injury problems, Rogic looms as a key man for Australia in Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah (Friday morning AEDT).

Rogic has become a central figure for Celtic, having signed a new three-year deal on the back of a purple patch for the Scottish Premiership powerhouse.

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He has blossomed since the arrival of former Liverpool manager Rodgers, producing some of his best performances in the biggest games - including the return of the Old Firm derby this season, and a thrilling 3-3 home draw against Manchester City last week in the Champions League.

And at just 23, there's plenty more to come.

"I'm settled, not just football-wise, but off the pitch. I enjoy being there - it's a massive club," Rogic said.

"Nights like the other night in the Champions League are why you want to be a footballer and the atmosphere we have at home is pretty hard to describe.

"Personally, I'm feeling that working under (Rodgers), I can only get better.

"I feel fortunate to be in the position that I am - I'm not taking anything for granted, I just want to keep playing and hopefully improving and there's not much more to it."

Rogic's decision to stay put at Celtic - where he could have easily pulled the pin at any time over the past three years, having fallen in and out of favour, mostly because of a persistent groin injury - is paying off.

That's good news for Postecoglou, too - Rogic was barely available for selection in the early part of his tenure, but the Socceroos' coach gets a player at his physical and mental peak every time he rolls into camp.

"It's almost a bit of a similar feel as I see the managers being a little bit similar in ways - both quite positive and both quite intense to work under," Rogic said.

"The way it crosses over, it's good for me to have that similar mindset going into both.